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Reviews from the Cruisers' Net Community (11)

We stayed there after a long day south. The marina is very large, and we were on the face dock. The people were friendly and helpful, and Publix is close. The wifi is not worth trying. I was with tech support which I quit after an hour with no results. I was told there are 4 transmitters and ours was “not well” although the office acknowledged it has never worked well. Overall, I would return.
John Pholeric

We have been at Harbortown since early December and have loved it. The staff is always friendly, helpful and accomodating. The facilities are nice, clean and are being constantly maintained. The new bathrooms and laundry facilities are very nice. The work area at the pavillion has been very helpful.
The monthly potlucks encourage socializing and gatherings on the dock are common. Harbortown is a great community.
Jeff and Brenda

We are spending 3 months at Harbortown marina in Fort Pierce. It is a very well run marina and has some features that Loopers will like:
Heated pool
New laundry and shower facilities
Boaters lounge w/ exercise room
WiFi and basic cable
Publix and West Marine a couple blocks away
Marine Connection warehouse a mile away
Travel lift and repair on site
Kemper

Another excellent marina to over winter in Florida is Harbortown Marina in Ft. Pierce. It is the only “fresh water” marina on the East Coast of Florida (a fresh water creek runs through the marina and out into the ICW). Full service boat yard next door if you need any work done. Nice facility with clean bath house, laundry, excellent restaurant on premises, good pool, floating docks, etc.
John Gill, Two J’s V

Stayed here April 7 -8, 2012. We have friends here and tied up near the end of the pier, close to the trees on the cigar-shaped island that separates the marina from the canal. If you react to no-see-ums as my wife does, use muchas bug spray.
This marina has fixed docks but there is no tide here thanks to NASA who built a lock system to keep the sea off their property.
Manatee frequent the marina and gators and sharks have been spotted.
Watch your speed as you approach the Christa McAuliffe Bridge, (the tenders offensively call it the “Rt 3 bridge” saving 3 whole syllables). The tender might scold you and tell you that you are too late for the opening for which you were on time. She also doesn’t seem to monitor 9 until you are approaching and scold you for not calling sooner.
There is a friendly group of live-aboards here and dock parties happen frequently.
Currently, they are running a $0.75 per night (two nights only) special.
Max Miller

We stayed here April 1st 2012 and had a pleasant stay. We were assigned a fixed pier across from the gas dock. It was long enough to go bow-in an still step off our 32 footer from just forward of the cockpit.

There is a West Marine, a liquor store, and grocery within (uphill) walking distance. The restaurant/bar is frequented by locals and live-aboards but closes early (after my bedtime).

They have wifi that we could access from our boat but you have to create an identity and password to get started with it.

We have been here before and were surprised to discover that a tidal current moves through the marina. To avoid embarrassment (nuff said), check for current when casting off lines.

I was in Ft. Pierce in June, 2011 and shopped price at Harbourtown Marina and the City Marina. At that time Harbourtown Marina was significantly higher in price. I like the Marina and hope that they have gotten more competitively priced since then.
Tim Benner

We have just finished a three month stay at Harbourtown and it was great. The marina has just had a major refit with all new pilings and decks, so it is a solid place to dock. It is very sheltered; even in a hard blow the water only ripples. The bathrooms are kept clean. We have a very large golden retreiver, and it was no problem to have him there, for it is dog friendly. A few miles away on North Hutchison Island is a wonderful ocean beach where our dog could swim and run. The Fort Pierce inlet is very close to the marina (20 min.) so it was fantastic for us to day sail as we got to know our boat – we are new sailers. The yacht services seem to be well run if you need work done, and finally the dockmaster, Dan, and his crew are very friendly and helpful.

I left my boat here while visiting friends in Vero Beach. The cost for the slip, with power (monthly rate) was the same as staying at a mooring at Vero Beach Municipal Marina. Of course, this only works if you have access to a car. Great staff, nice restaurant, and yes, the docks do need some attention. If you look at an unprotected piling (most are wrapped with some material that hide the damage), you wonder how they stand up to the stress.
HB Koern

We left our boat here for over 6 weeks to return home for holidays before heading south. Yes, the docks are in need of some maintenance, but we had no problems and the staff is very nice. Very good protection from the wind/waves due to mangroves on the East side of the basin. If you need a diver, recommend Mike Bovis at cell 215-205-3875. We also had some electroncs work done and recommend Jim Rinehart at cell 772-696-3548. Lastly, the Grill Refill for propane at 772-489-6899.
Pete & Mary Ann
s/v MicMac

Nov, 2009: Convenient to Publix, West Marine and small restaurants. Marina definitely has maintenance problems, and it makes me wonder if the lack of maintenance isn’t part of a larger financial problem. Our boat was damaged because an improperly installed cleat gave way — and for 5 days we were back and forth with the management as to negotiations on payment for the repairs, the car rental expense to bring the damaged boarding door to be repaired, and the slip from the time of damage until the repaired door was returned. Not a pleasant stay and will NEVER return.

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